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Posts for: December, 2017

Teething is a normal part of your baby’s dental development. That doesn’t make it less stressful, though, for you or your baby.

This natural process occurs as your child’s primary teeth sequentially erupt through the gums over a period of two or three years. The first are usually the two lower front teeth followed by the two upper front ones, beginning (give or take a couple of months) between six and nine months. By the age of three, most children have all twenty of their primary teeth.

The disruption to the gum tissues can cause a number of unpleasant side effects including gum swelling, facial rash, drooling, disrupted sleep patterns and decreased appetite. As a result a child can become irritable, bite and gnaw to relieve gum discomfort or rub their ears. Every child’s experience is different as well as their degree of pain and discomfort.

As a tooth is about to erupt, you may notice symptoms increasing a few days before and after. The symptoms will then subside until the next tooth begins to erupt. In a way, teething is much like a storm—you mostly have to ride it out. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t lessen your child’s discomfort during the teething episode.

For one thing, cold, soft items like teething rings, pacifiers or even a clean, wet washcloth your child can gnaw on will help relieve gum pressure. Chilling the item can have a pain-numbing effect—but avoid freezing temperatures, which can burn the tissues. You can also massage the gums with a clean finger to relieve pain. But don’t rub alcohol on their gums and only use numbing agents (like Benzocaine) for children older than two, and only with the advice and supervision of your healthcare provider. The use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen might also be used under the advice of your doctor.

If you notice your child has diarrhea, extensive rashes or fever, contact your physician immediately—these aren’t normal teething symptoms and may indicate something more serious. And be sure to consult with us if you have any other questions or concerns.

Teething can be a difficult time for your baby and family. But with these tips and a little “TLC” you can keep their discomfort to a minimum.

Do you want to refresh your appearance and reduce premature signs of aging? If you said yes, then our Mill Creek, WA, dentists, Dr. Chad Slocum and Dr. Sara Lundgaard, are here to tell you about a fast, effective and nearly painless way to kiss facial lines goodbye.

What is Botox?

Botox is a simple solution for reducing the appearance of certain lines and wrinkles of the face. Botox employs a series of thin needles that contain a purified form of the neurotoxin botulinum toxin. When this medical-grade toxin is injected into certain muscle groups of the face it temporarily paralyzes them and prevents them from contracting. As a result, these lines and wrinkles are greatly reduced.

Is Botox right for me?

There is a reason Botox is the most popular non-surgical wrinkle treatment in Mill Creek. If people are looking to get younger, fresher-looking skin without the need for invasive cosmetic surgery then Botox may provide the little refresher you’ve been looking for. While results won’t last forever they can give you the results you want without committing to long-term changes.

Furthermore, Botox may be a great option for someone who is looking to treat crow’s feet, marionette lines (lines around the mouth) and lines around the nose, forehead, and chin. Any lines that appear when smiling, frowning or laughing are wrinkles that can be treated with Botox.

How is Botox administered?

You’ll come into our office where we will prepare the botulinum toxin powder with saline to dilute it before injecting it into the areas of the face you wish to treat. These needles are very thin and are administered with nothing more than a slight pinch or burning sensation when first injected. Of course, if you are a bit nervous about getting Botox you can talk to our Mill Creek general dentists about numbing the area with a topical cream.

When will I notice results?

Results don’t tend to take effect for up to 72 hours after your treatment, so you won’t see results immediately. Once Botox results appear they can last up to six months, after which the lines and wrinkles will slowly begin to reappear. Of course, these wrinkles will come back less severe than before Botox; however, you can also choose to get additional Botox treatment at this time to maintain your results for longer.

Penny Creek Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Mill Creek, WA, is here to provide you with the cosmetic care you need. Whether you want to find out if your child could benefit from braces or you are interested in Botox, call our office today.

To get your child on the right track for lifelong dental health we recommend you begin their dental visits around their first birthday. You can certainly visit your family dentist, especially if you and your family feel comfortable with them. But you also might want to consider a pediatric dentist for your child's dental needs.

What's the difference between a family dentist and a pediatric dentist? Both offer the same kind of prevention and treatment services like cleanings, fluoride applications or fillings. But like their counterparts in medicine — the family practice physician and pediatrician — the family dentist sees patients of all ages; the pediatric dentist specializes in care for children and teens only.

In this regard, pediatric dentists undergo additional training to address dental issues specifically involving children. Furthermore, their practices are geared toward children, from toys and child-sized chairs in the waiting room to “kid-friendly” exam rooms decorated to appeal to children.

While your family dentist could certainly do the same, pediatric dentists are also skilled in reducing the anxiety level that's natural for children visiting the dental office. This can be especially helpful if you have a special needs child with behavioral or developmental disorders like autism or ADHD. A pediatric dentist's soothing manner and the calm, happy environment of the office can go a long way in minimizing any related anxiety issues.

Your child may have other needs related to their oral health that could benefit from a pediatric dentist. Some children have a very aggressive form of dental caries disease (tooth decay) called early childhood caries (ECC).Â If not treated promptly, many of their teeth can become severely decayed and prematurely lost, leading to possible bite problems later in life. Pediatric dentists are well-suited to treat ECC and to recognize other developmental issues.

Again, there's certainly nothing wrong with taking your child to your family dentist, especially if a long-term relationship is important to you (your child will eventually “age out” with a pediatric dentist and no longer see them). It's best to weigh this and other factors such as your child's emotional, physical and dental needs before making a decision.